Thousands of runners took to the streets of Beijing for the city's annual marathon. Sunday morning saw the capital's biggest sporting event since the Olympics, and it again produced inspiring performances.

The elite men set off first, the Kenyan runners led the field from the outset. Benjamin Kiptoo prevailed, in a time of 2 hours, 10 minutes and 14 seconds. He was followed by compatriots Chelimo Luka and Simon Wangai.

In the women's race, China's Bai Xue bettered her third place in 2007 winning in 2 ho

urs, 26minutes and 47 seconds.

Marathon champion Bai Xue said, "I think the first half of my race was good, but I was much slower in the second half. "

Teammates Chen Rong and Zhang Yingying finished second and third, to stand alongside Bai Xue on the podium.

But it was truly a race for the people. After the elites finished, thousands more amateur runners poured into the Olympic Center, ending their race on the track of the stadium.